I don't recall ever seeing any reports from the TSA regarding how much faster lines went at the airports using these machines vs. lines using standard x-rays. Can anyone point me in that direction?

From what I've read, in the trial period, they're enforcing the same rules as the x-ray checkpoint scanners for the CT scanners (all electronics larger than a phone out, 3-1-1 bag out, etc.) - so you aren't going to see much in the way of speed improvements at this point. You might see fewer bags going to secondary in some regards (e.g. people with a lot of electronics, CT scanner will have a clearer image that can be manipulated in 3D) and some more going to secondary now (e.g. more effective imaging and automatic threat detection may allow things like a small bottle of water or small pocketknife missed due to density of current x-ray imaging is easier for operator to see/CT scanner to automatically flag and sent to secondary).

All of the articles I've read about for now for the CT scanner trials refer to potentially faster screening in the potential future tense. It's conditional on TSA getting through the trials, validating the reliability/ease of use/effectiveness of the CT scanners, and then making rule changes for lanes with them (laptops & other electronics, LGAs stay in bags). Until that point, CT scanners will be marginally faster.

Per the CBS article I linked to already:

I don't trust what TSA says. You'll recall that a former spokesperson has said that dangerous items are found daily during whole body "pat downs" but that claim has never been supported with any data. When I see stats, I'll believe it.

https://arstechnica.com/information-...e-years-or-so/


TSA says in 5 years, CT scanners may be common in security lines at airports.

Of course that's the bigger US airports.

Internationally?

I haven't removed liquids or electronics from a bag in at least 2 years, if not longer.

I was hoping that in 5 years we'd be to the next generation scanning via walk-through tunnels. Biometric ID (being put in place in Dubai today) and metal/explosive/etc. scanners that activate as you walk past.




Keep in mind that this was introduced in 2011 and, at that time, also "could be rolled out at major airports within five years".

It's not going to be effective at finding drugs. I doubt it will be used much in the US.

Unless the companies make a lot of political donations or kickbacks for TSA procurement administrators.

That would be how you get the government to buy $300k machines.

Not to mention that it might significantly cut into the revenue stream that is TSA PreCheck.

As this general subject is often discussed in the Checkpoint forum, we'll move the thread over there...

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chec...cy-debate-687/

Where it have been merged into the relevant thread.

TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator

I wonder why DCA isn't on the list (in addition to Dulles) because Congress and administration officials fly out of there frequently. Perhaps the TSA is afraid they won't work or will cause delays?

I didn't see DFW listed which is one of the countries major hubs.

Dulles is on the list you quoted, in the earlier paragraph.

I've never cleared security at DCA (only transited it as a connection point on US Airways) but given how tight the airport is on the sterile side, spacing might be a concern.

Between that and budget ([article on that]), TSA has budget for 15 scanners in 2018 and 240 scanners in 2020, with about 2,000 scanners throughout the US at TSA checkpoints. They will probably focus on certain lanes at the category X airports and the Pre lanes at some more regional airports - but that's just a guess, they could have different deployment priorities (like covering all lanes at category X airports, or putting them in the non-Pre lanes to try to apply a stricter/better screening standard to the passengers that are not trusted travelers).